surround

1 of 2

verb

sur·​round sə-ˈrau̇nd 

surrounded; surrounding; surrounds

transitive verb

1

a(1)

: to enclose on all sides : envelop

the crowd surrounded her

(2)

: to enclose so as to cut off communication or retreat : invest entry 2

b

: to form or be a member of the entourage of

flatterers who surround the king

c

: to constitute part of the environment of

surrounded by poverty

d

: to extend around the margin or edge of : encircle

a wall surrounds the old city

2

: to cause to be surrounded by something

surrounded himself with friends

surround

2 of 2

noun

: something (such as a border or ambient environment) that surrounds

… from urban centre to rural surround.

—Emrys Jones

Synonyms of surround

Verb

• encircle
• encompass
• circle
• embrace
• ring

Noun

• surroundings
• environment
• atmosphere
• environs
• climate
• context

Examples of surround in a Sentence

Verb

A wall surrounds the old city.

They had the suspect surrounded.

She was suddenly surrounded by a crowd of excited fans.

There's a lot of uncertainty surrounding the decision.

His departure was surrounded by secrecy.

Noun

the vast, featureless surround of the desert was strangely appealing to him

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The stepbrother of a Florida teenager who died aboard a Carnival cruise ship appeared in federal court in Miami on Friday, as investigators continue probing the circumstances surrounding her death. —Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026

The cover of the book shows a photo of Annemarie Greipel, one that her daughter Nina took, sporting her signature pink-purple hair and surrounded by German desserts. —Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 10 Feb. 2026

Noun

While not the biggest change from its forbear, the 40 Series face would go on to become iconic, its round headlights within a white grille surround defining the model in the public’s eye. —Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2026

And yes, the infamous petri-dish smiley faces were plastered around the entire surround-screen as creator Vince Gilligan chatted with stars Rhea Seehorn, Karolina Wydra, Carlos-Manuel Vesga and Samba Schutte (who also moderated). —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 3 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, to flood, inundate, from Anglo-French surunder, from Late Latin superundare, to overflow, from Latin super- + unda wave; influenced in meaning by round entry 5 — more at water

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1616, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun

1893, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing surround

• surround oneself with (someone or something)
• surround sound

Rhymes for surround

• abound
• aground
• around
• astound
• background
• campground
• clothbound
• confound
• earthbound
• eastbound
• expound
• fairground

Kids Definition

surround

1 of 2 verb

sur·​round sə-ˈrau̇nd 

: to enclose on all sides : encircle

surround

2 of 2 noun

: something (as a border) that surrounds